RNC: Pols should stay firm on abortion

The Republican National Committee overwhelmingly passed a resolution Friday urging GOP candidates to not shy away from speaking out against abortion.

Pushed by social conservatives at the RNC’s winter meeting in Washington, and moved by a voice vote, the measure says “pro-life Republicans should fight back against deceptive rhetoric regardless of those in the Republican Party who encourage them to stay silent.”

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Many on the right worry that the operative class is trying to downplay social issues after candidates such as Missouri’s Todd Akin and Indiana’s Richard Mourdock blew winnable Senate races after controversial explanations of their opposition to abortion even in the case of rape, incest and the life of the mother.

GOP leaders have sought to reassure social conservatives. Members of the committee here for the meeting participated in a “March for Life” on Wednesday to coincide with the anniversary of Roe vs. Wade.

“Staying silent fails because this strategy allows Democrats to define the Republican brand,” the resolution said, “and prevents the Republican Party from taking advantage of widely supported pro-life positions … to attract traditional and new values voters.”